Container



Nov. 30, 1943. A, J. CHAMBERLAIN 2,335,260

CONTAINER Filed July 13, 1939 INVENTOR. .fllmso Cl/amaezmw 5 I ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 30, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER AlfredJ. Chamberlain, Wauwatosa, Wis. Application July 13, 1939, Serial No. 284,190

1 Claim.

This invention relates to an improvement in metal structures, such as containers, receptacles, tubs, barrels, drums, cans, or the like, where the body of the receptacle is formed with a portion of reduced diameter or cross section.

The object of the invention is to provide a metal structure of this character which has a reduced portion, and one of substantial reduction, if desired, and yet is devoid of wrinkles, and. of stiffness.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claim, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure l is a view in side elevation showing a metal container embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale, and taken on line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in side elevation showing a slightly modified form of the invention..

Figure 4 is a view in section, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, and showing the structure on an enlarged scale.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing a still further modification of the invention.

Figure 6 is a View in section, taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5, and showing the structure on an enlarged scale.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in side elevation, showing the invention embodied in a somewhat different type of metal structure.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view in elevation, showing the modification of the invention as applied to the type of structure illustrated in Figures '7 and 8.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary view in section, taken on the line l-8-l3 of Figure 9, illustrating the article on an enlarged scale.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary View in side elevation, showing a still further modification of the type or structure illustrated in Figures 7 to and Figure 12 is a fragmentary view in horizontal cross section, taken on the line l2-l2 of Figure 11.

improved appearance, strength, and

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, the numeral I designates the body portion of the container. Usually this body portion consists of a metal cylinder, which may have its lower end flanged out and inter-seamed with the bottom 2, as shown generally and diagrammatically in Figure l. The upper end of this type of container is usually open and is provided with an outwardly directed marginal flange 3 to facilitate the application of a cover (not shown) to the container. Adjacent the top, but spaced downwardly therefrom, is an outwardly directed corrugation ll, which is formed by displacing the metal of the body portion outwardly by suitable dies. Below the flange 3, and above the corrugation 4, the container is provided with a reduced portion 5. The portion 5 is of reduced diameter or cross section, and it merges into the corrugation 4 through a connecting portion 6 of approximately the same diameter as the diameter of the main portion of the body of the container. When metal containers of this character have a reduced portion similar to the reduced portion 5, and where the reduction is of any substantial proportion, it is almost impossible with prior practices to avoid the formation of unsightly and undesirable wrinkles, which spoil the appearance of the container, and in many instances completely impair its capacity for its intended use. The present invention proposes, generally speaking, to overcome this difiiculty by forming in the reduced portion 5, simultaneously with the reduction thereof, a predetermined number of uniformly angularly spaced beads or corrugations. The spacing, number, and size of the corrugations are carefully predetermined so that the metal required for their formation will precisely and exactly compensate for the reduction elfected. As a result, the formation of wrinkles is avoided, the appearance of the container is improved, and its strength and stiffness enhanced.

In carrying out this operation, beads or corrugations, designated at 'i, may be formed in the reduced portion 5 in the manner illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. These corrugations extend lengthwise of the reduced portion 5, and all the way from the flange 3 to the connecting portion 6. They are outwardly displaced from the outer peripheral surface of the reduced portion, and they have such dimensions and are formed in such numbers as to take up the metal which must flow from the reduced portion proper as an incident to its reduction.

As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, in some operations it is not essential to have the beads or corrugations, designated in the figures mentioned at 8, extend the full length of the reduced portion, but they may, as illustrated, terminate short of the flange 3.

Then, again, in other instances, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, beads or corrugations, designated at 9, corresponding in proportions and structure to the corrugations i and 8, may extend not only throughout the entire'length of the reduced portion 5, but also through the connecting portion 6 and large corrugation 4.

Figures 7 to 11 illustrate a metal structure of the type employed as for the tub or body ofa washing machine. As illustrated in these figures, such a structure includes a suitably shaped hollow shell [0, which has a bottom (not shown), and which is appropriately formed at its top. Intermediate the top and bottom of the shell ID a reduced portion H is'formed. As illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, this reduced portion may be provided with diagonally extending or angled, inwardly directed ribs or corrugations or bead I2, which are so dimensioned, and provided in such number, as to precisely'take up the amount of metal which must flow from the reduced portion proper as an incident'to its reduction.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the beads or corrugations, designated at [3, need not be angled, but may be vertical and parallel, and provided at spaced angular intervals to accomplish the purposes stated. Instead of having the corrugations angularly spaced with arcuate uncorrugated sections 14 therebetween, as shown in Figure 9, a continuous corrugation in wave-like effect, designated at l5 in Figures 11 and 12, may be designed to take up the metal incident to the reduction. 7

In structures of the type shown in Figures 7 to 12, the metal container or receptacle is not only strengthened and stiffened, and a clean-cut reduction effected, but there are also provided ribs on the inner surface 01 the container which eflect a. thorough cleansing or scouring action on the clothes being washed Where the device is being employed as the tub of a washing machine.

While I have shown and described several constructions in which the invention may be advantageously embodied, it is to be understood that the constructions shown have been selected mere- 1y for the purpose of illustration or example, and that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

I claim:

As an article of manufacture, a cylindrical sheet metal container having a flanged upper end and provided with a reduced portion adjacent said flanged upper end and with a circumferentially extending corrugation below said reduced portion, said reduced portion having angularly spaced, longitudinally extending, outwardly displaced. beads dimensioned and proportioned to compensate for the reduction, the peripheral surfaces intermediate said beads being smooth and 'unwrinkled, said beads extending to and through said corrugations.

ALFRED J. CHAMBERLAIN. 

